Sunday, February 2, 2025 5:38AM
Officials gave an evening update on the Martinez Refinery Company fire, which prompted a Level 3 alert in Contra Costa County.
MARTINEZ, Calif. — At least six people were injured in a fire Saturday at the Martinez Refining Co. that prompted a shelter-in-place alert for some nearby residents.
Shelter-in-place orders were lifted in the city of Martinez and parts of the cities of Pacheco and Clyde, Contra Costa County alerted the public just after 9 p.m.
“A Public Health Advisory remains for Martinez, parts of Pacheco, and Clyde. People with respiratory sensitivity should consider remaining indoors until the health advisory is lifted,” the county alert said.
The video in the player above is from a previous update
The public health advisory applied to all of Martinez, parts of Pacheco and Clyde due to smoke from the fire, Contra Costa County Health Services said on the Community Warning System website.
Four people were taken to a hospital for treatment and three were released, said Ted Leach, a Contra Costa County Fire Protection District captain. Two others were treated at the scene and released, he said.
An update on the health department’s Facebook page said the Martinez Refining Co., a subsidiary of PBF Energy Inc., which owns the facility, alerted the county to a fire that broke out during flaring at 1:47 p.m.
Flaring is the burning of excess gas that occurs during equipment shutdowns or malfunctions.
The company and the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District said firefighters were responding and a Unified Command was set up with the company, the fire district and the City of Martinez.
Other fire departments were called to assist with the coordinated response and keep the fire contained to the 860-acre refinery, the company said.
Sirens were scheduled to sound in the area every 30 minutes until the event ends, according to the warning system.
Several roads were closed including Marina Vista Avenue, from Interstate Highway 680 to Court Street, and Shell Avenue from Marina Vista Avenue to Pacheco Boulevard, the company said.
Contra Costa’s Community Warning System issued a Level 3 alert, the most severe in its four-tier system, which begins at Level 0.
“Residents in portions of Martinez, north of the refinery should shelter in place due to impacts from smoke,” according to the notification system.
“Please go inside, close all windows and doors, turn off all heaters, air conditioners and fans,” the health service urged residents. “If not using the fireplace, close fireplace dampers and vents, and cover cracks around doors and windows with tape or damp towels.”
While most people would not be affected, eye, skin, nose, or throat irritation may be possible for some people, according to the alert. Anyone experiencing irritation was advised to rinse the affected area with water.
To view county alerts see cwsalerts.com. For information on county Hazmat responses see cchealth.org/hazmat.
ABC7 News contributed to this report.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.
